Rabobank is making a highly anticipated return to professional cycling, nearly a decade after it last sponsored a team. The Dutch bank has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to become the jersey sponsor for Visma-Lease a Bike, a team that traces its roots back to the one Rabobank supported from 1996 to 2012.
The partnership will commence in July, and Rabobank will sponsor both the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the development squad. This marks the bank’s return to the sport, which it previously distanced itself from in 2012 following a scandal involving doping in professional cycling.
Stefaan Decraene, Chairman of Rabobank’s Managing Board, expressed his enthusiasm for the renewal of the partnership, saying, “With the addition of Visma-Lease a Bike to our sports partnerships, we are returning to our old love: cycling. We are excited to support the next generation of cycling talent together.”
Rabobank’s exit from professional cycling was triggered by a 2012 report from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which exposed widespread doping in the sport, including the case of Lance Armstrong. At the time, Bert Bruggink, a board member, stated, “We are no longer convinced that the international professional world of cycling can make this a clean and fair sport. We are not confident that this will change for the better in the foreseeable future.”
While Rabobank ended its sponsorship of the men’s team after the scandal, the bank continued to support the women’s Rabobank-Liv team until 2016. The women’s team boasted star cyclists such as Marianne Vos, Anna van der Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten, and Kasia Niewiadoma. On the men’s side, Rabobank’s sponsorship over the years included notable riders like Robbie McEwen, Óscar Freire, and Michael Rasmussen.
Richard Plugge, CEO of Visma-Lease a Bike, welcomed Rabobank’s return, describing it as a great honor. “Their decision to rejoin us as a partner is a great compliment. It shows how much cycling has evolved in recent years and how our team has become synonymous with professionalism, integrity, and success.”
The partnership not only focuses on team sponsorship but also includes a program designed to inspire future generations of cyclists. Rabobank’s commitment to youth development is reflected in its support for the Ready2Race initiative, a program aimed at introducing children to cycling. This collaboration aligns with the team’s vision of fostering talent and growing the sport.
One notable advocate for this initiative is professional cyclist Demi Vollering, who shared her personal connection to Rabobank. Vollering, who got her start in cycling through Rabobank’s youth races, expressed her excitement about the program’s potential. “For me, it all started with a dream, and I hope this initiative helps more kids, especially young girls, to dream big and fall in love with cycling,” Vollering wrote on LinkedIn.
This renewed partnership represents not only Rabobank’s return to cycling but also a commitment to supporting the sport’s integrity and nurturing the next generation of cycling stars.
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